When Mum started radiotherapy we were told that the negative effects of the radiation would stay in her system for a couple of weeks after the treatment ceased, and that she would probably feel worse before she started to feel better.
She finished her course of treatment two weeks ago today. Last Friday was probably the worst day we've had, as Mum was extremely nauseous, dry-retched, was in a lot of pain that nothing seemed to ease, and was generally miserable and sick.
Yesterday seemed to be a turning point, as she had no pain all day, and even managed to go out and run some errands around the local shops (as I documented in yesterday's post). Today she seemed to go from strength to strength. This morning started with her having the most substantial breakfast she's had in a long time (including half a cup of tea, something she hasn't been able to stomach for a while). Then the community nurse came, and was delighted to see how well Mum was feeling, and that the balance of pain, bowel and nausea meds seems to be working well.
Later in the morning we had an appointment with the radiation oncologist, as a post-treatment followup. She was also delighted to see Mum looking so well, walking much more easily, and obviously not in pain. She has now happily bowed out of Mum's treatment, unless anything else comes up for which we might need her. So Mum's care is now primarily in the hands of the palliative care specialist (who we see on Tuesday), and her original medical oncologist (who we will see the following Monday).
I have not been quite so fortunate as Mum. My cold is breaking up, which is a good thing, but it means I've been coughing my lungs up all day, starting around 4am this morning. I was feeling a bit nervous about sitting in a waiting room full of cancer patients with compromised immune systems, and sharing my germs by coughing all over them. So I wore a surgical mask to contain the germs (in between running outside from the waiting room every time I had a coughing fit). Not a great look, but seemed effective (and Mum said that when I was outside, one of the other people in the waiting room commented to her how considerate she thought it was for me to wear the mask and try to minimise the spread of my germs).
After we left the doctor's rooms, Mum wanted to go and get a pie for lunch (again) today, which we did, along with a nice little chocolate tart for dessert. At lunchtime, Mum wolfed these down, along with a mandarin for afternoon tea, and then this evening, she asked for a glass of wine and some chippies. This has been our usual pre-dinner aperitif, but since I've been here Mum hasn't felt well enough to want this. So when she asked for it today, it came as a delightful surprise.
So, we enjoyed our wine and chippies, and then had the dinner that our lovely next door neighbour made and brought over for us. Mum ate and enjoyed it all.
Tonight she kept saying that she couldn't believe how good she's been feeling; that she's been pretty much pain free all day, and has been able to enjoy her food for the first time in ages.
It feels like I have my mum back, after weeks of watching a pale imitation, who was too frail and sick to laugh or joke or want to do anything but sleep. It's warmed my heart to see her smile, and to talk with her about what she might want to do tomorrow (and even the fact that she's starting to nag me about tidying up my mess- she's obviously feeling much better!)
I don't know how long this new lease of life will last, but I am grateful to God for every minute of it, and hope that we'll be able to make the most of it whilst it lasts.
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